Interior Minister Xhafa over cannabis cultivationj: many police officers silenced because of fear or reward

Interior Minister Fatmir Xhafaj gave strong messages at the Guardia di Finanza conference that presented today in Tirana the annual report on the cultivation of narcotics in Albania by the "2017 Air Monitoring Mission in the Anti-Canabis Fight".

"A year earlier in 2016, there was a significant increase in cannabis cultivation areas in different parts of the territory. From the euphoria, the inability of our structures or the ability and sophistication of crime, this remains to be analyzed. One thing is for sure and we must be honest. The damage was large and multifaceted. Many criminal farmers were involved in this criminal enterprise, bringing their incrimination by undermining the common interest. This involves some police officers who seem unable to meet the duties set by law. Many others silenced in exchange for reward or fear, but it is still realistic and right to note the fact that in less than a year by now the government reacted over this phenomenon by recognizing the reality and undertaking a complex of measures. I reacted strongly and the result is what we heard today in this hall by the partners who monitored it step by step.

Even these little facts would suffice to understand how many things have changed in a short time. Today in another time the authority is the state and the institution is the law. Everything thanks to police men and women and they learned from their mistakes and in a short time realized a great change together with international partners.

It is not an easy battle with criminal groups involved in cannabis cultivation. Is not done in a day or a month, the first results are promising, we are determined to follow them step by step and their criminal revenues, we are determined to win this battle," said Xhafaj..